Seekersguidance Podcast - Islam, Islamic Knowledge, Quran, And The Guidance Of The Prophet Muhammad

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani shares inspiring reminders on the vastness of Allah’s mercy, and the gratitude and joy a believer should experience when realizing the blessings and opportunities before them. The Days of Dhu’l Hijja are special. The Day of Arafa is special. Eid is special. Here are keys to truly benefit and rise through them. Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate  

  In this new podcast series, Shaykh Ahmed Hussein El Azhary will discuss why the art of reading is critical for students of knowledge to master. One of the greatest barriers in mastering a science is the inability to read with structure and comprehension. In this series, Shaykh Ahmed will provide students with a detailed approach to rectifying this problem. In addition to offering practical tips and guidance in improving one’s reading and learning skills, Shaykh Ahmed will also elaborate on the development of the instrumental (foundational) sciences within the Islamic tradition and how they compare to medieval and modern theories of literary comprehension. In this fifth episode of The Art of Reading, Shaykh Ahmed Hussein El Azhary further elaborates on how a student can build an intimate relationship with a text. He provides a framework of surveilling a text on various levels, and also how to analyze concepts and propositions laden within the text. He urges the student to always try to determine the qu

In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives a beautiful and uplifting reminder on how to respond to Allah’s Call to the Believers regarding Friday prayer, with joy, gratitude, urgency, and resolve. Allah calls us, “O you who believe, when the call to prayer is given on Friday rush to the remembrance of Allah and leave all trade…” (Qur’an, Surat al-Jumuah:9 Shaykh Faraz shares beautiful insights on how the believer, the Muslim, approaches life and work; what the true life is; who are the truly alive; our true homeland; the wisdom of religious duties; key outward and inward sunnas of Friday prayer, and more.   Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

In this talk, at the 24th anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre of over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys–rightly classified as a genocide–Shaykh Faraz Rabbani shares reflections on some lessons for all believers: One: Faith and how we view tests and tribulations. Two. How we respond to tribulations, and how we ready ourselves to be able to respond. Three: The critical need to learn from history, past and recent. Four: The imperative of unity for Muslims, locally and globally.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin looks at the closing chapter of Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance, on Divine Love and Contentment. He begins the section by explaining why we love Allah and the various degrees of love of God. He shows that other loves for the sake of God — such as love of the prophets — are in reality part of one’s love for God, and discusses the signs of sincere love. Next, he discusses contentment with the Divine decree and leaving objection to Allah’s Will, particularly in tribulation (though he warns against falsely applying this same outlook in relation to one’s sins, from which one is obliged to repent). He closes by highlighting the importance of supplication (duʿa’), which in reality expresses the meanings of contentment with Allah and neediness to Him.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions

The Sunna of Expressing Emotion — Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains some of the proper manners of expressing emotion and celebration in light of the sunna. He highlights that while the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) exhibited the best of character and experienced happiness and sorrow, inwardly his heart was always content with his Lord.

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani looks at the chapter on pilgrimage (hajj) from Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He first highlights the importance of the pilgrimage and of performing it as soon as one is able. He also underscores the importance of properly learning the relevant sacred knowledge related to the pilgrimage in advance of the journey. He also discusses the virtue of visiting the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Next, Shaykh Faraz moves on to discuss how to make consultation and the istikhara prayer when making decisions. He also looks at the importance of fulfilling religiously sanctioned vows and oaths and warns against false oaths and testimony.

In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explores the virtue of reliance on God (tawakkul), looking at the concept from Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. Imam Haddad starts the section with the virtues of reliance from various Qur’anic verses and hadith. He explains the basis of reliance (realizing that everything is in Allah’s control) and its condition (that it not violate Allah’s command), and that taking worldly means does not necessarily contradict reliance. He closes by highlighting three characteristics of those of sincere reliance.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and ch

In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the virtue of renunciation, covering the section in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He discusses the importance of renouncing worldliness and its spiritual benefit and warns against the harms of being attached to the world. He highlights the virtue of renunciation, with key discussions on its objectives and how it is to be achieved. He also warns against love of wealth and prestige, citing religious traditions on their harm. He closes with a counsel to confine oneself to one’s needs as relates to worldly things and to not go overboard in acquiring them.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving sch

In this fourth episode, Nabiel Mohamed asks Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary to provide advice and insights on how to select a suitable text for reading when studying a certain discipline. Additionally, Shaykh Ahmed provides a methodology of how to utilize the various components of a book (the introduction, index, nomenclature etc) in enhancing one’s understanding in a specific discipline, and also the importance of knowing which books not to read.   Biography of Shaykh Ahmed Hussein El Azhary: Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary is a researcher in Islamic intellectual history and a teacher of Islamic traditional sciences. He’s currently a teacher of Hadith, Usūl, Logic, and Kalam at Rawdatul-Na`īm under the supervision of Habib `Ali al-Jifrī; and at Madyafat Shaykh Ismaīl Sadiq al-`Adawī (RA), a prominent learning center by al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. Formerly, Shaykh Ahmed worked as a Lead Researcher at Tabah Foundation. He was appointed by Habib `Ali al-Jifrī to architect the philosophical framework of Suaal initiative

Shaykh Faraz covers the chapter of Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance on gratitude (shukr). He explains how, if we reflected, would we would find much to be grateful for in every state. He cites Qur’anic verses showing that gratitude bequeaths increase in blessings. Next, he discusses gratitude for wider blessings as well, such as faith and guidance. He closes by mentioning the basis of gratitude (recognizing that the blessing is from Allah, not you) and its consequence (using it in His obedience), as well as highlighting various manifestations of thankfulness. This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat a

In this session, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani continues exploring Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance, completing the chapter on patience (sabr). He explains how good character can be attained through patience with others. Next, he looks at the fourth category of patience, patient renunciation of desires, where he discusses how to deal with the challenges presented by the lower self (nafs).     This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses the virtue of patience (sabr) from Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He first discusses how patience is required to follow the straight path despite one’s lower tendencies. He further divides patience into four categories: patience in acts of obedience, in renouncing sins, and in enduring unpleasant things. On this point, he sheds light on how to deals with trials which come directly from God as well trials which appear at the hands of other humans. The fourth component of patience, patience from desires, is covered in the next episode.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: gi

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani looks at the concept of hope (raja’) and fear (khawf) of God, covering the section on the topic in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He explains the centrality of these two states, their causes and effects, and how people at various levels balance between hope and fear. He also cautions against both false hope and despair, and explains how true hope is conjoined with action.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin covers the concept of repentance (tawba), reading the discussion on the topic in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. In this section, he emphasizes the requirement of repentance and outlines how it is to be fulfilled. He warns against persistence in sin and encourages the constant renewal of one’s repenting to Allah. He closes by recommending Jonah’s prayer of repentance in the Qur’an as a supplication to remove grief and worry.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad discusses the section “On Salutations and a Salutary Opinion” from Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance, where he discusses spreading peace, having good character, and its various manifestations. He first touches on the greetings of peace and various etiquettes pertaining to it, as well as related proprieties related to social rights—responding to one who sneezes, answering invitations, and visiting others. Next, he highlights the importance of having a good opinion of others and warns against ill opinion. He advises to make supplications for others, particularly one’s parents, but also the believers in general. He discusses by discussing the mutual obligations Muslims have towards one another.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, com

In this episode Shaykh Faraz covers the chapter in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance on sincere concern or counsel (nasiha). He explains how this is expressed, and delineates the harm of its against its opposite: envy. He then discusses what to do if one is praised and gives guidelines for praising others and giving them advice. He also highlights the importance of keeping trusts and speaking truthfully. Finally, he discourages argumentation, excessive joking, frightening others, and pride, underscoring the importance of humility.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Isla

As with everything of value, there is a price for Paradise. That price is iman. Those who possess iman must nurture it with patience and gratitude, for they are the two appropriate responses to life’s tests. To make sense of these tests we need a context which explains the wisdom behind difficulty and ease, and the appropriateness of patience and gratitude as a response. This lecture explains the words of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, “[I am] amazed at the affair of the believer, for everything that happens to him is the best thing for him; and that is not the case for anyone except the believer. If good times come to him he is grateful, and that is best for him. And if difficulties afflict him he is patient, and that is best for him.” (Muslim)- Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help Seeke

In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues the exploration of the chapters in Haddad’s Book of Assistance related to good character with others. He first examines the concept of love and hate for the sake of God. Next, he explains the importance of good company and highlights the virtue of being merciful and easygoing and of assisting others through both religious guidance and general support. He elaborates on what constitutes excellence to one’s fellow believer and fulfilling his rights, and warns of the gravity of wronging others. This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Globa

In this episode Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers the section on social duties in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. The first duty he describes is the duty towards one’s limbs in protecting them from sin for the sake of God. Next, he discusses one’s social charges, beginning with one’s family. He discusses how to protect their religious interests and fulfill their rights with excellence, advising to take particular care of the female members of the household. He also touches briefly on the public duties of scholars and rulers. Shaykh Faraz moves on to look at Imam Haddad’s exploration of the rights of kin, starting with the rights of parents and the respect owed to them (and how they should help their children to carry his out). He closes by outlining the basic rights owed to family.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach milli